A group of Tidewater area athletes (high school, collegiate, and post-collegiate) running for the Norfolk Real Deal track club, competed at the USATF National Club Championships held in New York City this past weekend.
One of the club's top performers was rising junior Keilah Tyson (pictured right by Ted Plunkett), who is transferring to Western Branch this upcoming year. Tyson was at Oscar Smith this past year in which she was a surprise state champion indoors over Marlena Wesh in the 55 meter dash with a personal best 7.01 clocking. At the USATF National Club Championships, Tyson clocked a new personal best and the state's second fastest time of 2009 in the 100 meter dash with a 11.75 clocking to finish second in the event. Tyson's transfer will certainly give Western Branch a star athlete in the running events which had been lacking this past year despite their great depth and Eastern Region titles.
Also running a PR late into the summer was Granby rising junior Cassandra Jones as she posted an all-time best time of 55.55 in the 400 meter dash with a third place finish. Jones will be one of the top returning quarter milers next year with that time as will Champagne Bell of Booker T. Washington with a 55.47 personal best. Bell also competed at Icahn Stadium for Norfolk Real Deal in the 400 meter dash, but faired better in the long jump with a fourth place finish in a leap of 18'6".